Duterte bans vape, to arrest those who will use it in public

President Rodrigo Duterte has just issued an order to prohibit the use of vape (e-cigarette) in public along with its importation.

President Duterte (ALFRED FRIAS/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

Apart from real cigarettes

The order came days after health authorities confirmed a case of e-cigarette-associated lung injury. In addition, the President of the Philippines said that anyone caught using vape in public will be arrested as it is like smoking.

Duterte bans vape, to arrest those who will use it in public

You know why? Because it is toxic, and the government has the power to issue measures to protect public health and public interest, Duterte told reporters.

Better stop it because I will order your arrest if you do it in a room, Mr. Duterte was quoted as saying. I am now ordering law enforcement agencies to arrest anybody vaping in public. That is like smoking, Duterte added.

To recall, the DOH (Department of Health) has also issued the Administrative Order 2019-0007 to ban the use of e-cig in the Philippines.

To date, about 1 million Filipinos use e-cigarettes in the country.

Apart from vapes, the use of real cigarettes is not allowed as well.

If you are a smoker, you can only smoke in designated areas and open spaces with proper ventilation. 

But do not worry, you can still smoke in designated areas and open spaces with proper ventilation. 

Sources: ABS-CBN, Manila Bulletin